“We want a
future where energy is delivered in a more reliable, efficient, and secure way
to households and businesses across the country,” said Congressman Bob Latta.
“In order to make this a reality, it’s critical that we embrace cutting-edge
technology and new innovation in order to update our aging electric grid. At
the Grid Innovation Expo, we were able to see up close the latest innovation
that has the potential to revolutionize how energy is transmitted. This pursuit
is a bipartisan one, and I was glad to see Members on both sides of the aisle
engage with industry representatives that are developing ways to bring grid
infrastructure into the 21st century.”

“As our
nation’s energy infrastructure continues to age, it’s imperative that we commit
to a serious discussion about how to improve grid resiliency and stability and
bring our system into the 21st century,” said Congressman Jerry McNerney. “I
was proud to participate in the Grid Innovation Expo. Thank you to GridWise
Alliance, NEMA and EEI for showcasing the latest technologies and innovative
solutions that they are utilizing to meet the demands of our ever changing
energy landscape. A modern and innovative energy grid will benefit consumers,
the economy, and enhance reliability and resiliency. As members of Congress, it
is our obligation to continue to keep this dialogue open so that we can enable
and foster advancements that will protect Americans from the challenges that
lie ahead while maintaining accessibility and affordability.”

“The basic technologies
used to deliver electricity to customers were largely unchanged throughout the
20th century, but recent advancements by electrical manufacturers have the
potential to significantly improve the efficiency, reliability, and security of
electricity delivery,” said NEMA President and CEO Kevin Cosgriff.
“Policymakers and grid regulators should embrace these modern, innovative grid
technologies to upgrade and better protect our critical infrastructure.”

“The electric
power industry is leading a profound transformation, and electric companies’
continued focus on innovation is essential to developing smarter energy
infrastructure that benefits our customers,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “The
bipartisan Grid Innovation Caucus, co-chaired by Congressman Bob Latta and
Congressman Jerry McNerney, continues to advance an important dialogue that
supports innovative smart grid technology, as well as policies that recognize
the value of the energy grid.”

“The GridWise
Alliance is pleased to co-sponsor this first Grid Innovation Expo with EEI and
NEMA, in conjunction with the Grid Innovation Caucus,” said Steve Hauser, CEO
of the GridWise Alliance. “We are excited to provide members of Congress and
staff the opportunity to see first-hand some of the innovative grid
modernization technologies that utilities are using that demonstrate the broad
array that ‘grid modernization,’ or ‘smart grid,’ encompasses. These innovative
technologies and partnerships save money for businesses and consumers by
reducing or avoiding power outages, empower consumers to better manage their
electricity usage, and ensure the reliable and secure integration of resources,
such as storage, microgrids, and electric vehicles. We appreciate the opportunity
to continue to cooperate with the Grid Innovation Caucus to help raise
awareness regarding these critical technological and policy issues.”